Engine.



PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19, 1906.

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ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19, 1906.

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v C I I ,5 JQMXYQMQ Jf/b raga No. 877,910. PATENTED PEB.'4, 1908. J.COPELAND.

ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.19. 1906.

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ENGINE.

APPLIOATIO N FILED NOV. 19. 1906.

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2% W flymdwr 14L WJqGAOM" JAMES COPELAND, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

Application filed November 19. 1906. Serial No. 344.002.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES COPELAND, a citizen of the United States,residing in Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Engines, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in engines.

The object of my invention is to provide an engine of a simple, strong,efficient and durable construction adapted for use in any position forany purpose and with any kind of motive power, such as steam, gas orother fluid, and by means of which the cost of manufacture and cost ofoperation may be reduced to a minimum.

My invention consists in the means I employ to practically accomplishthis object or result. That is to say, it consists in connection withpistons and cylinders essentially, of an inclined circular race againstwhich the pistons act with an ever continuous thrust, each for about orsubstantially a half revolution, thus producing a steady and uniformaction and converting the reciprocating movement of the pistons into arotary one, the inclined circular race and the cylinders being the onerotatable in respect to the other, and the rotatable member beingsuitably geared to the driving shaft of the englne.

In practicing my invention, I prefer to mount the inclined circular racestationary upon the frame or bed plate of the engine instead of upon arotatable carrier, and to mount the cylinders and pistons upon a rotatable carrier instead of stationary upon the frame or bed plate.

In practicing-my invention, the cylinders and pistons may be combined orarranged in any suitable relation to the inclined circular race, butordinarily I prefer to arrange the cylinders and pistons within andbelow the circular inclined race instead of without or above the same.

In practicing my invention, the inclined circular race may be made ofany suitable size or diameter and arranged at any desired angle orinclination to the pistons as may be required or desired for differentuses or pur poses.

In practicing my invention, any suitable means or mechanism may beemployed for transmitting the pressure of the pistons to the inclinedrace, but I prefer to employ for this purpose a Vibrating leverfurnished with anti-friction rollers at its ends bearing against theinclined race and to which the pistons are pivotally and slidablyconnected at their outer ends. The anti-friction rollers on thevibrating lever have fly-wheel enlargements and thus act as combinationflywheel and anti-friction rollers traveling around on the inclinedcircular race. Their object or function in conjunction with the leverand inclined race and other parts is to allow running of the engine at amoderate speed from the indirect piston thrust through the lever andrace, while at the same time maintaining the fly-wheels on the ends ofthe lever at high speed so as to produce and maintain the necessary,efficient or intensified fl wheel action to insure freedom from ar andvibration and a steady and uniform speed of the engine. The pressure andfriction of each of the combination fly-wheels and anti friction rollersagainst the inclined circular race is alternately removed on thebackward or upward stroke and alternately created or exerted upon thedownward or opposite stroke, so that each of these roller fly-wheels isthus maintained at the high speed desired for efficient operation. Theinclined circular race in connection with the vibrating lever and theanti-friction roller fly-wheels thus effectually equalizes the speed ofthe engine and enables it to be maintained uniformly at any speeddesired through suitable gearing.

My invention also consists in the novel construction of parts anddevices and in the novel combinationsof parts and devices herein'shownand described, and more particularly specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure1 is a top or plan view showing one suitable form of engine forpracticing my invention, and which I believe to be the best or preferredform. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectionon line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal section on line 4:4of Fig. 4.. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectionon line 5-5 of Fig. 3.Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal section illustrating a modification,suitable for use in any position, in'

which the inclined circular race is arranged in line with the pistons,and in which the pistons are furnished at their outer ends withanti-friction rollers bearing directly against the inclined race;thisform being suitable for traction purposes and in it the drivingshaft may represent a carriage axle. Fig. 7 is a central verticalsection illustrating a further modification in which the inclined raceis made solid with the bed-plate and arranged below and in line with thepistons, and in which the pistons have anti-friction rollers on theirlower ends bearing against the race and guide rods at their upper endsfurnished with counterbalance springs, the cylinders and pistons beingmounted on a rotary gear carrier. Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating afurther modification in which a vibrating counterbalance lever or deviceis employed connected to the pistons by guide rods.

In said drawing, similar letters of reference indicate like parts in allthe figures.

In the drawing, A is the bed-plate or frame of the engine.

B is the inclined circular race, 0 the rotatable carrier, D D thecylinders, E E the pistons, F the device, preferably a vibrating lever,for transmitting the pressure of the pistons to the inclined race, G ahollow stationary axle through which the motive fluid is admitted andexhausted, and H the driving shaft and H its fly wheel. The circularinclined race B is preferably mounted on the stationary frame of themachine and secured to suitable brackets A on the frame of the machineby bolts 1).

In the construction or form of engine illustrated in the drawings, theinclined race B is stationary and secured to the stationary frame of themachine, while the cylinders and pistons are mounted upon the rotatablecarrier C which is geared to the driving shaft.

In the form of engine embodying my invention illustrated in the drawing,the cylin ders and pistons are arranged in an upright osition as this isthe preferred arrangement, although other arrangements may be used.

The rotary carrier C also preferably constitutes the head for closingthe lower ends of the cylinders D D, being secured thereto by suitablescrews or bolts 0. The rotary carrier C and the cylinders D D mountedthereon turn upon a stationary hollow axle G having a flange g at itslower end secured to a cross bar A on the stationary frame of themachine by suitable bolts g The tapering hollow axle G has an inletpassage 9 for the motive fluid, communicating by a suitable inlet port 9with the inlet ports (1 d of the cylinders D D as the same rotate aboutthe stationary ta ering hollow axle G. The stationary hollow axle G isalso furnished with a suitable exhaust passage 9 communicating through asuitable port g with the ports d d of the cylinders D D as the cylindersrotate about the hollow axle. The

orts 5 g in the axle have a rib or tie 7 be- P g g tween them to give orretain strength and rigidity in the shaft G.

The cylinders D D may be preferably formed in a single piece having acentral tapering opening to receive the tapering hollow axle G throughwhich the motive fluid is received and exhausted from the cylinders. Thecarrier C is preferably furnished with an annular flange C fitting andsurrounding the cylinders D D and additionally serving to connect thecylinders to the carrier.

Motion may be communicated from the rotary carrier C to the drivingshaft H through any suitable gearing, such connecting gearing consistingpreferably of a bevel gear C on the carrier C, meshing with bevel gearsH H loose on the driving shaft H and which are adapted to be clutchedfast to said shaft by a suitable clutch H according as the driving shaftis to be driven in one direction or the other.

The device F for transmitting the pressure of the pistons against theinclined race B consists preferably of a vibrating lever pivotallyconnected at f to suitable lugs D D on the cylinders or their carrierand which lever has a sliding and pivotal connection with the pistons DD. The sliding and pivotal connection between the pistons and the leverF may be of any suitable construction, but the same may preferablyconsist of slots 6 in the upper forked ends 6 e of the piston and pivotblocks f sliding in said slots and a pivot pin f 2 connecting thesliding pivot blocks and the lever F. The vibrating lever F ispreferably furnished with anti-friction rollers F journaled on its endsand traveling upon the inclined circular race B. These anti-frictionrollers F may also preferably be furnished with fly-wheel enlargements FThe hollow stationary axle G is preferably steadied and supported at itsupper end by a stationary cross bar A" on the frame of the engine, thiscross beam or bar being preferably connected to the stuffing gland Gsurrounding the hollow axle G and which is furnished with a flange orcollar 9 through which adjusting screws are inserted engaging the crossbeam for adjusting the packing and holding the cylinders in the exactposition desired. The packing gland G has an extension G fitting withinthe cylindrical flange D surrounding the central opening in thecylinders D.

The clutch H is suitably splined to the shaftH and is furnished withrecessed shoulders to engage the forks h of the stop or reversing leverH which forks are provided with rollers 7L1 to reduce the friction. Thehandle H of the reversing lever is furnished with the customary stop72,2 for locking the reversing lever in position.

In the modification illustrated in- Fig; 6, the inclined race is made ofsmaller diameter and-arranged above the cylinders and pistons so thatthe pistons Ewhich are provided. with anti-friction rollers E at theirupper ends may bear directly against the inclined race. In thismodification the cylinders are furnished with guide rods D for thepistons, havingsprings d to'counterbalance the piston. In thismodification also the gear C serves as a balance wheel, being acombination gear and'balance wheel. In this modification alsotheinclined circular race is made flat equally on each side of the downwardcenter or all to the back side, thus further regulating the exhaustwhenthe pistons with anti-friction rollers and count'erbalancing springsare in direct contact therewith. In this modification also a bevel gearK, geared segment K and cylindricalrack K are interposed between thestop or reversing lever and clutch.

While in the drawing I have illustrated my invention as applied to anengine having two cylinders and pistons, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the number of cylinders and pistons may beincreased to any extent desired. In the drawing, I have, forconvenience, also illustrated myinvention as applied to'a singleexpansion engine, but it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat it may be applied to double, triple or further expansion engines ifdesired, by simply increasing the number and size of the cylinders andpistons and having the ports arranged to exhaust from one cylinder intoanother as is customary.

As in my engine the cylinders rotate about the hollow stationary axlethrough which the motive fluid is admitted and exhausted, no separatevalve mechanism is required, thus simplifying the construction. of theengine, the rotary cylinders and the stationary hollow axle themselvesserving as the valves for admitting and exhausting the motive fluid.

M represents the motive fluid feed pipe and M the exhaust pipe, the samebeing connected in any suitable manner, as by screw threads to thehollow stationary axle G.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 7,

. the inclined race is made solid vith the bed plate and made fiat andequal on each side of the downward center or all to the back side; andthe pistons have anti-friction rollers at their lower ends andcounterbalance springs at their upper ends surrounding guide rods whichare screw edv into the upper ends of the pistons and made adjustablewith jam-nuts P P, the guide rods extending through the jam-nuts P and Pabove and below the springs, the jam-nut P serving to compress thepacking P In this modification the cylinders and pistons are mountedwheel H on a rotary gear carrier C having a cover C with stuffing boxesor glands G to close the ends of the cylinders through which the guiderods extend. The rotary gear carrier ismounted on the stationary hollowaxle G which has-suitable ports g g tied or bridged at 9 The hollow axlehas a flange g at its low er end secured to the bed-plate by bolts g andthe cylinder and piston carrier rotates about this hollow axle. Theteeth of the rotary gear carrier mesh with a bevel gear wheel on thedriving shaft H vs hich. has a fly In the modification illustrated inFig. 8, the device F is shown as a vibrating counterbalancing lever andis connected to forked end rods 6 e which are screwed into the upperends of the pistons, the lower ends of which have anti-friction rollersas in Fig. 7 in direct contact vi ith the inclined-race and rotating toabout the half revolution.

As in my invention the circular inclined race has its continuous bearingface throughout in one and the same inclined plane, the action of thepistons against the same, whether it be exerted directly or indirectly,produces a steady and even motion and causes the engine to run smoothlyand uniformly and free from shock, jar or vibration, thus giving itgreat durability and efficiency.

I claim 1. In combination with the cylinders and pistons, the inclinedrace having its bearing face continuously in one plane, against whichthe pistons act, and a hollow tapering axle provided with inlet andoutlet ports, said cylinders being provided with cooperating inlet andoutlet ports, said cylinders as one member and said hollow axle as theother member being rotatable one in respect to the other, and saidpistons acting alternately each for about a half revolution, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with the cylinders and pistons, of an inclined racehaving its bearingface continuously in one plane, one of said members ofsaid combination being rotatable in respect to the.other, and a hollowtapering axle furnished with inlet and outlet ports, said. cylindershaving cooperating inlet and outlet ports through the'walls thereofcontacting with said hollow axle, and said cylinders and hollow axlebeing one rotatable in respect to the other substantially as specified,

3. The combination with the inclined circular race having its bearingface continuously in one plane, of cylinders and pistons and a rotarycarrier upon which the cylinders and pistons are mounted, a stationaryhollow tapering axle provided with inlet and outlet ports, saidcylinders rotating about said axle and having cooperating inlet andoutlet ports substantially as specified.

4. The combination with the inclined cir- &

cular race having its bearing face continuously in one plane, ofcylinders and pistons, a rotary carrier upon which the cylinders andpistons are mounted, and a stationary hollow tapering axle provided withinlet and outlet ports and about which the cylinders rotate,substantially as specified.

5. The combination with a circular inclined race, of cylinders andpistons acting against the race, a rotary carrier upon which thecylinders and pistons are mounted, a driving shaft and gears connectingthe driving shaft with the rotary carrier, substantially as specified.

6. The combination with a circular in clined race having its bearingfaceycontinuously in one plane, of cylinders and pistons and a vibratinglever to transmit the pres sure of the pistons against said inclinedrace, substantially as specified.

7. The combination with a circular inclined race having its bearing facecontinu ously in one plane, of cylinders and pistons and a vibratinglever to transmit the pressure of the pistons against said. inclinedrace, said vibrating lever being furnished with anti-friction rollers,substantially as specified.

8. The combination with a circular inclined race, of cylinders andpistons and a vibrating lever to transmit the pressure of the pistonsagainst said inclined race, said vibrating lever being furnished withantifriction rollers, said anti-friction rollers hav ing fly wheelenlargements, substantially as specified.

9, The combination with a circular in clined race having its bearingface continuously in one plane,- of cylinders and pistons and avibrating lever to transmit the pressure of the pistons against saidinclined race, said pistons having each a slidable and pivotalconnection with said lever, substantially as specified.

10. The combination with. a circular inclined race having its bearingface continuously in one plane, of cylinders and pistons and a vibratinglever to transmit the pressure of the pistons against said inclinedrace, said pistons having each a slidable and. pivotal connection withsaid lever, and said. lever having anti-friction rollers at its ends{traveling on said race, substantially as speciied.

11. The combination with a plurality of cylinders and pistons, of aninclined circular race against which the pressure of the pistons isexerted, and a rotating gear to which rotary movement is communicated bythe pressure of the pistons against said inclined race, substantially asspecified.

12. The combination with a plurality of cylinders and pistons, of aninclined circular race against which the pressure of the pistons isexerted, and a rotating gear to which 1 vibrating rotary movement iscommunicated by the pressure of the pistons against said inclined race,said pistons acting alternately each for about a half revolution,substantially as specified.

13. The combination with a plurality of cylinders and pistons, of aninclined circular race against which the pressure of the pistons isexerted, and a rotating gear to which rotary movement is communicated bythe pressure of the pistons against said inclined race, said pistonsacting alternately each for about a half revolution, said pistons andcylinders being carried by said rotary gear and a hollow stationary axleabout which the cylinders and pistons rotate and inlet and exhaust portsin said cylinders and said stap ionar'y hollow axle, substantially asspeciied.

14. The combination with a hollow tapering axle furnished with inlet andoutlet ports, of a rotatable cylinder-piece having a tapering openingfitting said hollow tapering axle let ports, a plurality of cylinders insaid cylinder piece, reci rocating pistons in said cylinders, an incined circu ar race having its bearing face continuously in one plane, avibrating lever to transmit the pressure of the pistons against saidinclined race, and combination anti friction rollers and flywheels onthe ends of said vibrating lever and engaging said inclined circularrace, said inclined circular race serving to maintain an even andcontinuous thrust of the pistons each alternately for about a halfrevolution, substantially as specified.

15. The combination with the inclined circular raceof cylinders andpistons, and a rotary gear and balance wheel carrier upon which thecylinders and pistons are mounted, substantially as specified.

16.. The combination with the inclined circular race having its bearingface continuouslyin' one plane, of cylinders and pistons, a rotarycarrier upon which the cylinders and pistons are mounted and astationary hollow inlet and outlet ports andabout which the cylindersrotate, substantially as specified.

17. The combination with a circular inclined race having its bearingface continuously in one plane, of cylinders and pistons acting againstthe race, arotary carrier upon which the cylinders and pistons aremounted, a driving shaft, a fly wheel, and gears connecting the drivingshaft with the rotary carrier, substantially as, specified.

18. The combination with a circular inclined race having its bearingface continuously in one plane ,of cylinders and pistons and a vibratinglever to transmit the pressure of l the pistons against said inclinedrace, said lever being furnished with anti:

and provided with cooperating inlet and outtapering axle provided withtied or bridgedfriction rollers, and stationary pivot, sub- 1 frictionrollers and stationary pivot, said stantially as specified.anti-friction rollers having fly-Wheel enlarge- 19. The combination Witha circular inments, substantially as specified. clined race, ofcylinders and pistons and a JAMES COPELAND. 5 vibrating lever totransmit the pressure of Witnesses:

the pistons against said inclined race, said JANE COPELAND, vibratinglever being furnished with anti- AROHIBALD COPELAND.

